Happy, but not satisfied: Hinkley hungry for success

Mikayla Hinkley has declared she is "happy, but not satisfied", as she sets her sights on 2022-23 following a breakout season with the bat.

Hinkley became the first Indigenous player to take out the Queensland Fire Player of the Year award earlier this year, following a standout state one-day campaign that included her first domestic century.

She finished more than 100 runs ahead of her nearest teammate on the Queensland runs table, with 319 at 53.16, with two half-centuries accompanying the unbeaten 121 scored against Western Australia.

Now, the 24-year-old Kunja woman wants to build on that form in Weber WBBL|08 after signing a new two-year deal with the Brisbane Heat.

"I think I'm happy, but not satisfied at the moment," Hinkley said when reflecting on her strong finish to the 2021-22 summer.

"I was very honoured to receive the Fire Player of the Year award, that was a bit of a surprise, but I think there was a lot of hard work that went into last year, and the season before.

"I think I've made a couple of inroads on where I could go ... I've got to keep training hard and I'll get there hopefully."

Hinkley’s re-signing is a boost for the Heat, who have retained the core of their side that finished inside the top four last season, with the Harris sisters, Grace and Laura, the most notable locals yet to be retained.

Heat coach Ashley Noffke said he was eager to see Hinkley continue to establish herself as a ‘finisher’ within both Queensland-based teams this summer.

"Mik brings passion to everything she does," he said.

"She’s a strong role model off the field for her people and her culture and on the field, she never lets up when it comes to backing her teammates.

"We’re really pleased with how her batting is flourishing and the way she has embraced her role as a finisher.

"She keeps challenging herself to improve and get better and plays with confidence because of that drive."

Hinkley’s off-field contributions have been equally valuable; the Kunja woman played a significant role in developing the inaugural Indigenous playing shirt worn by the Heat in last summer’s WBBL and BBL First Nations Rounds.

"We loved the recognition she got for the work she and ‘Auntie’ Delly did with the playing shirts and we’re proud to have worn them," Noffke continued.

"We’re looking forward to keeping that commitment going again this season."

The WBBL|08 schedule will be revealed on Thursday.

Brisbane Heat WBBL|08 squad so far: Jess Jonassen* (c), Amelia Kerr (NZ), Nicola Hancock, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Charli Knott, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippell, Georgia Voll